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Sheridan... Thanks for the document... I found a much poorer version of the same document but hadn't been able to read it all (because of poor quality)... This one I can read and will... Thanks... And yes, you're right about finally just accepting a premise and moving on... That is in essence what I did when I bought the Zinwell switch a bit ago... Though not understanding it all, still I had heard enough to finally say "just buy it" so I did... Thanks for your help... diitto...

I understand your wanting to know it works, I'm the same way. I'm do-it-yourself kinda guy so I learn all I can....to a point. It helps to have a better understanding of the subject, especially if you have to do some troubleshooting. And certainly, there are a number of places on the internet where the hows and whys of the switch and lnb functionality are discussed or faq'ed.

But a lot of it can be information overload and sometimes, just unnecessary. For example, I build my own computers. I know how they go together, I know how they're supposed to work and I can troubleshoot one if a problem develops. But do I know the architecture of the processor and the fully understand the workings of the Northbridge and Southbridge on the motherboard? No, I could study it, but if the motherboard or processor were bad, they would be replaced. There is no point in trying to repair the mb, they are cheap enough and the processor can't be repaired.

I think that's more than far enough in this analogy, so I'll stop there, but I hope you can understand my point. Good luck with your installation and stop back by if you have any more questions or problems. There are plenty of experts here and I listen to them. One more thing, if you do your cables, be careful with the crimping, but if you are going to go to AT9 later, you probably want to look at the compression fittings. I understand they are the way to go, but that's a whole 'nuther topic.

Hi Sheridan... Yeah, I'm reading the document you linked right now... I think I feel another question or two rising but I will finish reading this first and then ask any questions in the next day or so... So perhaps check back later...

Regarding what you said about cable and connectors I hope I am ok there... I did my own install last September, dish and all... I'm an Electrical Engineer but with no previous experience with satellite communications (well at least not since college many moons ago) so this was a bit of a research project, and still is... I looked into both cables and connectors as much as I am trying to understand these multiswitches... The cable I settled on eventually was Belden 1694A (good out to 3 Ghz, solid copper center conductor, all in all I think a good cable)... And for connectors I bought the tools to put on Snap-n-Seal compression fittings throughout... They've worked great to date... And trivial to install with the two tools I bought for them... I got most of the info for both cable and connectors just from listening to folks here and asking questions... Four of those cables currently come in from the dish to my attic where they are connected to feed-through/grounding blocks and then six cables (two currently connected to nothing) come down to six possible "load" locations in the house... It is my hope to simply disconnect the four satellite cables from the feed-through/grounding blocks and instead hook them into four inputs of this new switch... Then the six cables will simply attach to six of the eight outputs. Four of those outputs I use today and it's the fifth of those six (still don't need one of them) that I am after right now as I added another DVR but don't only had one input left over of the original four.. But it appears I will have to go through the same set up you do with a new receiver??? Again, that's preliminary but after I read all the document you linked, perhaps I will be able to ask a smarter question... But, yes, hopefully I am good to go for a future swap from the Triple LNB dish to the AT9, at least with regard to cable and compression connectors... Again, check back in a day or so as I am thinking I will have questions about this receiver set up that will need to be done with this new switch... I am getting the switch sent UPS Two Day so hopefully I will have it by the weekend... Again, thanks for the help... diitto...

So you're an electrical engineer? That explains the questions.

You will need to keep that grounding block in there, and it has to be before the switch. So from the block to the switch and THEN out to your feeds.

Morning.. Well, that brings up another question... Instead of staying with the grounding blocks which means I will have both the loss of the feed throughs of the ground blocks plus the loss of the switch now in series, can I not instead ground case of the switch itself or are the shield connections on the switch isolated from the case, hence grounding the case would do no good?? Since I haven't yet seen the switch I don't know whether its shield connections are isolated or not... If they are, then yes, I will maintain the feed through/grouding blocks as they are and build new short cables to go from them to the switch inputs... And yes, I would leave the grounding blocks on the upstream side of the switch...

And any idea what sort of loss I might see through this new switch?? Currently most of my satellite signals are up around 90% on the receiver satellite set up page.. With this switch would you anticipate I will see a noticeable drop or no???

Thanks for the info... diitto...